Rotary match lighter



1933- H. G. KLASSEN 2,104,454

ROTARY MATCH LIGHTER Filed Sept. 11, 1953 2 Sheets-Sheet l Jan. 4, 1938.H. G. KLASSEN 2,104,464

ROTARY MATCH L IGHTER Filed Sept. 11, 1953 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 4 F I i ADV5 i Adverirsemeni W/fnesse In venfor Patented Jan. 4, 1938 UNITED STATESPATENT OFFICE no'rsnr MATCH LIGHTER Harry George Klassen, Chicago, Ill.Application September 11, 1933, Serial No. 688,924 10 Claims. (Cl.206-29) This invention relates to improvements on lighters in whichrotary match units operate in conjunction with igniting surfaces withinsuitable containers. This application is a continuation of my formerapplication Serial No. 616,418 filed June 10, 1932 for a safety matchcontainer. It is the object of my invention to provide improvements onmatches and lighters that will provide greater safety in the carryingand using of matches and lighters and that will render more and bettersurfaces for advertising or other printed matter. In the ordinarymanufacture of matches production costs are cut to a minimum. Due to theimportant part played by these costs considerable attention is paid tothe reduction of them.

In the ordinary use of matches and match boxes, it is necessary toremove the matches from the container and ignite them by scratching themon some abrasive material. In this ordinary use of matches they arelikely to be dropped and.

thereby constitute considerable fire hazard. This invention providesimprovements on a device wherein match like arms are more easily andcon- 'veniently positioned for use without removal from. the containerand wherein the matches are simultaneously uncovered and ignited. Theburned matches are retained within the container and are not discardedas with the ordinary match box, thereby providing a further safetyconsideration.

In my former application I claim only one operating means namely aknurled knob which is fastened directly to the match rotor. In thisapplication I submit a slide bar operating means, a disc operating meansand a lever operating means, each of which presents a difierent problemin operation as well as in manufacturing.

Figs. 1 and 2 are perspective views of the complete match lighter beforeand after the operating means has been pulled and shows how theoperating means serves as an automatic cover for the opening.

Fig. 3 is a top view of the completed lighter before being folded andshows the various parts in their relative positions. Fig. 4 is the sameview of the container blank with the match rotor and. the slide baroperating means removed, of which Fig. 5 is a cross section side viewand shows the formation of the various parts.

Figs. 6 and 7 are a top and side view of the slide bar operating meansof which Fig. 8 is a perspective view of the folded bar.

Fig. 9 is a perspective rear view of the completed lighter.

Fig. 10 is a perspective view of the same type lighter with a slightmodification of the position of the inclined ratchet hook.

Figs. 11 and 12 are a top and side view of the operating bar and showthe position and location of the ratchet hook. 5

Fig. 13 is a top inside view of the same lighter before being folded, ofwhich Fig. 14 is a cross section view taken on the line 3II3II of thecontainer shown in Fig. 13.

Referring to the drawings in detail:

Figs. 1, 2 and 3 show the lighter in its stages of operation as well asthe relationship of its various parts. The container I provides thenecessary support for the match rotor III and the slide bar operatingmeans 2. The opening .IO 15 is formed in such a way as to allow thegreatest possible distance between the lighted match 8 and the sides ofthe opening and is provided with match separators 3 that are so formedas to prevent the lighted match 8 from igniting those within thecontainer.

Inclined ratchets I5 are arranged about the eyelet axis I6 of thesupport in such a way as to make contact with the angled bases of thematches, thus preventing the rotor Ill from turn- 25 ing back when theoperating bar 2 is pulled out,

said ratchets being arranged at such angles that will afford the leastpossible resistance to the rotor III as the matches pass over them. Abearing means I3 is formed in a side of the container 3, in such a wayas to support the operating bar 2 and serve as an additional ratchetmeans for the rotor III. The container may be secured together withstandard paper clips 4 or other suitable means. 35

The operating bar 2 has in its embodiment inclined abrasive surfaces II, that are so formed and placed as to exert sufficient pressure tolgnite the positioned match 8 when the bar 2 is pulled out, said baralso having a slide bearing 22 which is provided with stoppers I4 tolimit its movement and an inclined ratchet hook I2 that is so formed asto engage the next to the positioned match and move it into alinementwith the match opening I8 when the slide bar 2 is moved inward and passby said positioned match when it is pulled out. Angle I'I-I'I denotesthe angle at which the end of the operating bar is cut to correspondwith the sides of the match opening I8. The corner I!) is rounded off toprevent any possible catching when the bar 2 is moved inward. This bartype operating means is not only an eiilcient means of operation for thelighter but also provides a simple and automatic cover for the matchexposing opening. Through this novel design three excellent advertisingsurfaces are provided as shown by numerals 8, I and 9. The fingergripping portion 5 might also be applied to this purpose.

Figs. 4 and 5 show a top and side view of the container blank with theabove mentioned features. The hole 20 is provided to support the saideyelet axis 16 and the crease 2| indicates the folding point.

Figs. 6, 7 and 8 show the operating bar before and after being foldedwith the various features previously mentioned. Fig. 9 is a rear view ofthe completed lighter.

Figs. 10, 11, 12, 13 and 14 show the same rotary match type lighteremploying a different principle in operation. In this form when theoperating bar 21 is pulled out the next to the positioned match isengaged by the inclined ratchet hook 25, that is positioned on theextending portion 28 of the operating bar 21 and is pulled between theinclined abrasive surfaces 23 formed on the container I and into theopening l8, thereby igniting it. The container l in this form presentsseveral variations from that of the first type, in that the inclinedabrasive surfaces 23 are situated on the container instead of on theoperating means, the match separators 3 are formed on the opposite sideof the match opening l8, the raised portion outlined by the line 36-36provides a more compact and sturdy container and reduces the resistanceto the working parts to a minimum. In this form the bearing means l3does not act as a ratchet as in the fornier type. The rotor 26 isdesigned with a longer match than those of the rotor l0 previouslymentioned, in order to bring the extended portion 28 below the matchopening.

It will be apparent that further modification may be made by thoseskilled in the art and I therefore desire to be limited by the prior artand the scope of the appendedplaims.

Having thus described my invention what I claim and desire to secure byLetters Patent is:

1. In a lighter of the type described: a support, a rotary match unittherein and a bar operating means arranged to operate in conjunctiontherewith; a match exposing opening in said support; inclined matchseparators in a side of said opening; a flap bearing means arranged tosupport said operating bar; inclined ratchets formed on said support tolimit the movement of said rotor; said operating bar having inclinedabrasive surfaces, a slide bearing means arranged to guide and limit themovement of said bar, said parts being so arranged that when saidmatches are positioned in the match exposing opening, said opening issimultaneously closed and when said match exposing opening is openedsaid positioned match is simultaneously ignited.

2. In a lighter of the type described: a container for a rotary matchunit and bar operating means; a match exposing opening in saidcontainer, concave match separators in a side of said opening, inclinedratchets equidistantly disposed about the central axis of said rotor,said ratchets being so formed and positioned as to prevent rotation ofthe rotor when the operating bar is pulled out and afiord a minimum ofresistance to the matches as they pass over them when said bar is movedinward; an operating bar slide bearing so formed and positioned as toguide and support said bar and serve as an additional ratchet 'means forsaid rotor; said container being foldable on a gauged crease to providethe required space between the compartment walls.

3. In a rotary match lighter of the type detion; inclined abrasivesurf-aces formed at one.

end of said bar; said abrasives being so formed as to envelop theindividual match heads as they pass by, and a handle means formedopposite said abrasives surfaces; said operating bar having the end atthe abrasive side out at an angle to correspond with that of the matchopening.

4. In a device of the character described having a container, a matchrotor, and an operating bar: said container having a' match exposedopening, inclined abrasive surfaces formed adjacent one side of saidopening and inclined match separators in the other, a guide bearing tosupport said operating bar formed in a wall of the container and a matchrotor bearing hole formed centrally therein, said container walls beingso embossed or raised up as to form a hollow flapless container having anarrow edge enclosing the embossed section by which the container may beglued or otherwise secured together.

5. In a lighter of the type described having asupport, a match rotor anda bar operating means: anoperating bar having a slide bearing withstoppers at each end to limit its back and forward movement, a fingergripping portion formed at one end, the opposite end being cut at anangle to correspond with the angle of the match opening in the saidsupport and having the top corner rounded to prevent jamming when thebar is moved inward, an inclined ratchet situated on a portion extendingout at the base of one wall at the angled end, said hook being so formedas to pass by the next to the positioned match when the bar is moved inand engage it and pull it into the said match opening when it is pulledout, said bar being foldable on a gauged crease to afford the requireddistance between the walls.

6. In a device of the character described, a support, a slot bearingformed in a wall of said support, a match exposing opening therein,inclined abrasive surfaces formed in a side of said opening, arotarymatch unit movably supported therein, a slide bar operating meanssupported by said slot bearing arranged to operate in conjunctiontherewith and serve as a cover for said match opening when said bar isin a closed position, an extended arm member formed on said bar and.arranged to extend to the opposite side of said opening, an inclinedratchet hook formed at the end of said arm, said hook being sopositioned and constructed as to pass over the individual match arms onsaid rotor when said operating bar is moved inward and consecutivelyengage said match arms and pull them in between said abrasive surfaceson the support and into said match exposing opening ignited, said in andoutward movement of said bar simultaneously covering and uncovering saidmatch opening.

7. In a device of the character described: a support, a match exposingopening in said support, a rotary match unit movably supported thereinand a slide bar operating means arranged to operate in conjunctiontherewith and serve as an automatic cover for said match opening, in-

cline'd abrasive surfaces formed on the inside walls 75 aromas of saidbar in line with the positioned match head, an inclined ratchet hookformed on one of said inside walls, said ratchet hool: being sopositioned and constructed as to consecutively engage the individualmatch heads and move them into position when said bar is moved inwardand then pass over said positioned match head when said bar is pulledout, said movement simultaneously uncovering said match exposingopening.

8. In a device oi: the character described having a support, a matchrotor in said support, a slide bar operating means and a ratchet hookformed thereon: said ratchet hook consisting of an incline, the head orsaid incline being formed perpendicular to its base, said incline beingprovided to allow said hook to pass over said matches when saidoperating means is moved in one direction, said hook being provided toconsecutively engage and turn said match rotor when said operating baris moved in the opposite direction.

9. In a lighter of the type described having a support, a match exposingopening in said support, a match rotor, a means for operating said rotorand a safety means formed in a side of said opening to protect the stockof matches from the open flame oi the lighted matches; said safety meansconsisting of two oppositely disposed inclined i'orms, said forms beingarranged to bear against each other in V formation, said forms beinginclined to allow the match heads to wedge their way in between themwhen moving into said opening, and then spring back to their originalposition.

10. In a lighter or the type described having a support, a match rotorand a slide bar operating means with an inclined ratchet hook: ratchetstops for said rotor, said ratchet stops consisting of inclined forms,the heads of which are formed perpendicular to the bases of the angles,a number of said ratchet stops being formed on said support andequidistantly disposed about the axis of said rotor, said forms beingplaced at such angles that will ail'ord a minimum of resistance to saidrotor as it turns over them, said ratchets being provided to preventsaid rotor from turning when said ratchet hook on said operating meansis passing over the next match to be ignited.

HARRY GEORGE

